L.C. Hangs On For 62-57 Win Over Rams
COUNCIL BLUFFS – Lewis Central pulled away in the fourth quarter to post a 62-57 victory over visiting Glenwood Friday night in Hawkeye 10 Conference boys basketball action.
The seesaw battle was competitive from start to finish and included multiple lead changes. Lewis Central improved to 5-1 with the victory, while the Rams slipped to 5-3 on the season.
“I liked our battle. We competed really well,” Glenwood coach Curt Schulte said. “We fought for 32 minutes. I was really pleased with our effort. It was a good, hard-fought Hawkeye 10 Conference basketball game.”
The 57 points was Glenwood’s lowest offensive output of the season. The Rams got off to a slow start, coming off a nearly two-week break since their last game.
“I wish we would have gotten out of the gate a little quicker,” Schulte said. “You just never know what you’re going to get with that long (holiday) lay-off. I thought we were a little sluggish to start the game, but as the game progressed, I thought our energy level went up. We got better as the game went on.”
The score was tied at 12 at the end of the first quarter as the Rams’ senior point guard Zach Carr knocked down a jumper right before the buzzer.
The teams traded baskets throughout the second quarter and the Titans took a 30-29 lead into the locker room at halftime.
A three-point bucket from Carr gave Glenwood a 42-38 lead late in the third quarter, but Lewis Central responded with an 11-1 scoring run to go up 49-43 midway through the fourth period. The Titans eventually increased their lead to nine points at 53-44.
The Titans would never relinquish the lead, but left the door open for Glenwood in the closing minutes by missing several free throw attempts. Glenwood got as close as 53-51 after a pair of free throws from Silas Bales and a three-pointer from Ben Hughes. Glenwood would get no closer, however, as the Titans put the game away in the final minute.
Lewis Central played tight defense all night and held a decisive rebounding advantage over the Rams - a key factor in the outcome, according to Schulte.
“They outrebounded us by nine (36-27). I would have liked to see us rebound a little better,” he said. “They’re strong and physical and they’ve got good size. We’ve just got to do a better job of positioning ourselves and putting bodies on people.”
Schulte praised the play of Carr, who tallied a game-high 22 points.
“Zach played really well,” Schulte said.
“He’s a good floor general. He had a good game for us and I’m proud of him.”
Carr was one of two Rams to score in double figures. Ryan Blum scored 10 points, while John Palmer and Ben Hughes contributed 9 and 8 points respectively. Nate Hughes chipped in 6 points.
The Rams have three games this week. After playing at Atlantic on Monday, they’ll take on Shenandoah Friday night in Council Bluffs at the MAC Shootout and host Red Oak on Saturday.